Abstract
The study captures the impact of structured relationships within the family on sexual identity development of youth. Research problem stems from the quarry whether the semi-urban and rural families exposed to the social dynamics of globalization, differ in their role constructing the sexual identities of youth. Parent-youth communication, social class and style of parenting, family role in the resolution of sexual identity crisis, and inter sibling relations are considered pertaining to the sexual identity development. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were adopted. Multi staged simple random sampling technique is employed representing semi-urban and rural youth (n=225) in the postal survey. Informal interviews and ten in-depth case studies of youth with unresolved sexual identities were carried out. The study substantiates that although, semi-urban and rural families do not drastically contrast with each other, and they constitute two different contexts of sexual identity development. Although, social class is not correlated, gender role socialization, style of parenting cause the semi-urban and rural difference pertaining to family role in sexual identity development. Qualitative analysis revealed the precursors of negative sexual identity development within the family. Sri Lankan families leave little margin and are emotionally less supportive in case of negative sexual identities.
Highlights
Sri Lanka today has been exposed to an unprecedented degree of social dynamics of foreign origin
Dimensions of sexual identity ; one’s own evaluation of self, others’ evaluation of individual as a sexual being on the basis of one’s biological sex, sex or gender roles, sexual orientation and related sexual behavior as a whole was considered in relation to the semi-urban and rural difference
This study has identified some subtle differences between semi-urban and rural families that may constitute two slightly different trajectories of sexual identity development
Summary
Sri Lanka today has been exposed to an unprecedented degree of social dynamics of foreign origin. It is the global age which makes the realty, rather a fragile collection of mental states. Action and the material culture are subjected to change and ever widening gap between generations alters the perspectives of realty [Davis, 1995]. Universe of realty is turbulent since the individual no more is capable maintaining a unique, coherent sense of identity. No culture, so that no individual seem to remain intact in this massive process of change. This study focused how the Sri Lankan semi-urban and rural families in the back drop of globalization socialize youth helping them to mould their own sexual identities
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